Edreobenthic manned observatory for undersea research



United States Patent [72] inventors Richard G. McCarty [56] References Cited ux l South Dakota; UNlTED STATES PATENTS James Mmdmhaue'i Falls 700 769 5/1902 Hazard 114/16UX 2'15? g stachiw Oxnard 2,2911940 8/1942 Babcoke 114/16 a 1 orn a PP No. 566,694 2,294,296 8/1942 Hansen 114/16X [22] Filed July 20, 1966 Primary Examiner- Benjamin A. Borchelt [45]. Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Assistant Examiner-Thomas H. Webb [73] Assignee the United States of America as represented y Baxter Warner, George Rubens and by the Secretary of the Navy Valium",

{541 EDREOBENTHIC MANNED OBSERVATORY YE Q E S p ff ABSTRACT: A self-contained positively buoyant observatory rawmg having panoramic visibility. it is formed of transparent wall [52] 11.5. C1 114/16, material. Special strengthening members are provided and it is 61/69 adapted to house personnel and equipment for sustained [51] Int. Cl. ..B63c 11/34, marine observation. it is normally anchored to the ocean 1363c 11/00, B63c 11/40 floor. An anchor line is connected to a winch within the obser- [50] Field of Search 114/16, vatory and permits the same to be moved up or down at the 16.3; 61/69; 220/3 discretion ofthe occupants.

Patented Sept. 8, 1976 3,527,184

//VVE/1. 7 0/?5 Q RICHARD a. MC CARTY JAMES G. MOLDENHAUER 3 j JERRY o. STACHIW j ATTORNEY Patented Sept; 8; 1970 Sheet 2 of 9 Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet 5 w pa 3 7 1 7:, l4

Fig.3

Patented Sept. 8, 1970 v 3,527,184

Sheet 4 of 9 Fig. 4

Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet ll/llnlll/Illlfillll Sheet of 9 T N E M E l- E STORAGE Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Sheet L of Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Fig. /4

EDREOBENTHIC MANNED OBSERVATORY FOR UNDERSEA RESEARCH The invention described therein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalities thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to self-contained manned observatories and more particularly to a manned observatory adapted for oceanographic and ocean engineering research.

The seas, and particularly the continental shelves, represent one of the remaining frontiers of which man has extremely limited knowledge. Due to their ready accessibility, the continental shelves have been investigated to a greater extent than ocean depths, however, the equipment used in investigations of continental shelves has been directed to short term exploration characterized by a short endurance and a high mobility.

The need for equipment permitting prolonged observation at selected locations has now become more apparent in view of current research such as that of the Navys Sealab projects. Emphasis on visual information collection is evident in the development of presently existing manned undersea research vehicles and it is clearly established at this time that by far the greatest knowledge may be obtained by visual observation and photography of the underwater environment.

A clear need is thus arising for an undersea observatorylaboratory which will permit passive observation and active experimentation within the undersea environment over extended periods of time at one location or at a variety of locations in a selected area. The shortcomings of the previous un' dersea research vehicles have led to the concept of the present invention for an observatory which, among other advantages, is transportable from one location to another with relative ease, is large enough to accomodate a crew oftwo for a period of substantially ten days, provides virtually unrestricted visibility of its surrounding environment and is capable of being positioned by self-contained equipment at any point in a water column from the surface to depths on the order of 1000 feet or more. The vehicle presented is positively buoyant and need not be manned by individuals capable of and trained for undersea research wherein they are required to be exposed to the medium itself. The present vehicle, accordingly, may accommodate elderly scientists as well as persons adapted to exposure at appreciable ocean depths.

In general, the present observatory-laboratory provides scientists and engineers a device in which they may be comfortably housed while studying the marine environment or conducting studies and experiments over extended times at given sites. By means of a structure which is made substantially of transparent materials throughout, panoramic visibility is permitted as well as the recording and study of acoustic and other kinds of signals which permit the correlation of observations to an extent that cannot be obtained remotely. There is no requirement for horizontal propulsion thereby permitting tours of longer duration on station with the use of conventional power supplies. The power supply is self-contained, and the maintenance of sea level atmospheric conditions within the observatory permits its use by scientists and engineers who are not trained scuba divers and need not undergo the extensive decompression schedules required for such divers.

Scientists, observers or operators are housed within the buoyant envelope of a pressure hull, this envelope being constructed to withstand external loads during handling above the water and hydrostatic pressures encountered in the water. Contained within the envelope are the equipments necessary to provide a suitable atmosphere, adequate housekeeping facilities and essential instruments. The concept may be expanded both as to size of pressure hull and depths to which it may be submerged through the use of more sophisticated pressure hull construction material as such material becomes available.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manned underwater observatory capable of housing a crew in a one atmosphere environment for long periods of duration and at relatively great depths.

Another object of the invention is to provide an underwater manned observatory having a pressure hull which is substantially entirely transparent so as to provide panoramic visibility.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater manned observatory which is self-contained and as such does not require connecting hoses, cables, etc. for any type of independent support.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a manned underwater observatory which is bottomed-tethered, positively buoyant, and capable of being moved vertically through the entire water column above it and below it by personnel within the observatory in substantially any desired depths.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a manned underwater observatory capable of functioning in severe currents without damage to the shell of the device and having a pressure hull possessing a considerable safety factor in relation to the ratio of its collapse depth to its operational depths.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a manned underwater observatory which is adaptable to a variety of applications for underwater research.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manned underwater observatory and its support equipment in a marine environment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the major components of a manned observatory;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a pressure hull showing in enlarged detail the polar fittings and connecting members;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section of a pressure hull showing some of the interior fittings;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically depicts the ertical field of view of a vehicle occupant;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view ofa pressure hull showing more details of the interior fittings;

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a layout of power supply for a manned underwater observatory;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing one form of atmospheric control system for a pressure hull;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating angular distortion introduced by a curved pressure hull in rays not normal to its surface;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view ofa pressure hull and an interconnected living chamber in a water environment;

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of a pressure hull in conjunction with an ocean tractor;

FIG. 12 shows a pressure hull included as a component of a rescue submarine;

FIG. 13 shows a plurality of pressure hulls interconnected to form bottom dwellings; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pressure hull of the manned underwater observatory in use as an inverted underwater elevator.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown schematically in FIG. 1 the manned observatory of the present invention 11 attached to and disposed above a ballast and control means 12, both the observatory and its attached equipment suspended above the bottom 13 in a marine environment by anchor 14 and anchor line 15. Since pressure hull I8 is made substantially entirely of transparent material, its occupants are afforded a panoramic view 360 in azimuth and substantially in elevation of their environment. In FIG. 2 the observatory and its attached equipment are shown in exploded view with the principal components of the hull including spherical polygonal sections 20, certain of the sections such as sections 21 and 22 being provided with insert rings 24 and 25 to accommodate fittings and feedthroughs. In the present embodiment, twelve pentagonal sections comprise the pressure hull sphere. This sphere may be made in various sizes of more or less sections, of course, however a preferred embodiment capable of housing two persons in relative comfort has an outside diameter of feet and an internal volume of 425 cu. ft. These dimensions permit adequate space for a central structure 27 to be assembled within the sphere and when assembled to permit freedom of movement for occupants of the sphere.

The insert rings are adapted to receive, respectively, personnel hatch 30, hoisting fittings 31 and internal fittings 32 as to insert 24 and end plate 33, internal fittings 34, external fittings 35 and feedthroughs 36 as to insert 25. When the inserts and their attached members are assembled in sections 21 and 22 and these sections are formed into the sphere, the sections are interconnected by members such as rods 38.

Ballast and control means 12 includes a power supply 39 comprising in this embodiment a plurality of individual storage batteries 40 secured together and mounted on ballast 41 and an anchor line drum 42 and winch 43 which are positioned on frame 44 and disposed in an internal opening in the power supplyand ballast. Ballast and control means 12 may be enclosed in a faired housing 45 comprising an upper section 46 which includes a rudder 47 and propeller 48, and a lower section 49.

The spherical transparent hull 18 preferably is formed of twelve identical spherical pentagons of acrylic plastic bonded together by a suitable adhesive. In the ten-foot diameter embodiment, these pentagonal sections are approximately 74 inches across and are made substantially four inches thick to withstand expected pressures. Inserts 24 and 25 may have an outside diameter of substantially three feet in the present embodiment and personnel hatch 30 may be two feet in diameter. The metallic inserts and the fittings and feedthroughs attached to them are preferably made of stainless steel as may be rods 38. The pentagonal sections 20 may be built up to the fourinch thickness by bonding together units of one-half-inch.

thick commercial acrylic sheet. The twelve sections may be joined with a solvent or non-solvent adhesive to form the sphere. After the metal inserts and acrylic sections have been joined together, the entire assembly preferably is annealed at 160F for 24 hours to remove residual stresses.

FIG. 3 presents a sectional view of the hull showing in enlarged detail the various fittings and feedthroughs. Personnel hatch 30 is hinged at 50 and seats in a circular recess 51 formed by the interior surface of annular ring 52 which in turn is secured in insert 24. Annular ring 52 may have an I configuration in cross section and is provided with projections which serve as fitting attachment 31 and 32. The spaces on either side ofthe web ofthe I may be filled with silicone rubber as indicated at 53, and an O-ring 54 may be inserted in groove 55 around the periphery of ring 52. At the opposite pole of the pressure hull end plate 33 is secured to insert 24 and is provided with projections which serve as fitting attachments 34 and 35. Upwardly extending fittings 34 provide a base to which the lower extremities of rods 38 may be secured. These lower extremities may include some means for resiliently mounting the tie rods such as cylinders 58 containing springs 59, the lower end of tie rods 38 having heads 60 which may be separated from springs 59 by washers 61. Adjustments may be provided by turnbuckles 62 which are turned by handles 63.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper section 21 may be provided with a guard rail 68 which may be attached to annular ring 52. In the interior of the pressure hull is positioned a platform 70 which is supported by brackets 71, both the platform and brackets being spaced throughout from the inner surface of the pressure hull to avoid contact with the hull which might cause scoring or introduce uneven forces therein. The spacing allowed should be more than sufficient to accommodate contraction of the hull under the most extreme external pressures expected to be encountered. The brackets and platform are interconnected and may receive support from rods 38, fittings 34 and annular ring 52. Central structure 27 includes most of the life-support equipment plus seats for use of the occupants. Above the seats and shown in outline only is a ceiling structure which houses blowers, air scrubbers and other equipment which will be identified in greater detail, while between the seats oxygen cylinders and other equipment are stowed. Beneath platform 70 between brackets 71 are spaces for equipment, supplies, water etc. Air is circulated through the interior of the pressure hull by a blower, see FIG. 8, which forces it outward through ducts 75 against the upward curvature of the inner surface of the hull. Overhead arms 76 above each seat are used primarily to present a panel of gages reporting the condition of life-support equipment to personnel occupying the seats. These arms also may serve as mounts for cameras, spotlights and other equipment. Recessed into the arms of the seats are controls and instruments relating to operation of the observatory. The seats form horizontal mats when moved slightly outward from the position shown and opened into an unfolded condition.

The large expanse of transparent material in the observatory structure permits the occupants thereof to view their entire normal field of vision while sitting in an upright position and looking directly outward. Occupants may utilize their full peripheral vision when sitting upright and also when turning their heads to the side while in this position. This feature is made possible because of the absence of objects between the central area structure and the inner surface of the pressure hull. Regarding any angular distortion which may be induced by the curvature of the hull, it has been established that because the observers eyes are not far from the center of curvature of the hull distortion is minimal in the case where he looks down from a seated position.

In FIG. 6, the central structure is shown in greater detail with the arm controls indicated schematically at 91, an air intake grill shown at 92, internal and external accommodation ladders shown at 93 and 94, respectively, floor hatches 95 and 96 and control panels indicated at 97. Rotary movement of the observatory is achieved by operation of propeller 48 through reversible-speed motor 98 which is mounted on struts 99 in rudder 47.

In FIG. 7, a preferred layout of the batteries comprising the power supply is presented and includes four layers of batteries disposed 22 batteries per layer preferably in the manner shown. The outer dimensions of the battery pack are applicable to a pressure hull having an outside diameter of ten feet. This power pack thus provides 88 ZOO-amp-hour, l2-volt automotive type batteries which may be connected in the necessary parallel and series circuits to satisfy power and voltage requirements. These batteries preferably are packaged in a modular configuration, not shown, with each battery placed in an oil-filled container which protects the battery from contact with sea water while admitting the hydrostatic pressure. Electrical connections to the power mains are accomplished through a waterproof connector located in one of the feedthroughs in end plate 33. Peak power requirements occur during descent and amount to nearly 5000 watts over a onehour descent period. The average power requirement over a ten day mission is 880 watts. With l2-volt batteries, standard l20-volt DC and 24-volt DC supplies can be conveniently obtained.

Life-support is illustrated in FIG. 8 and comprises an oxygen supply 100, an atmospheric scrubber 101-104, a diffuser 107 and a blower 108. The oxygen requirement for a crew of two for ten days is met (with a reserve) by two commercial oxygen cylinders containing 250 cubic feet of oxygen under a pressure of 2400 psi. The two 55-inch high, 9% inches in diameter tanks are strapped together and mainfolded, with regulation provided, including diffuser 107, to release oxygen at a total internal atmospheric pressure of 760 mm of mercury. The tanks are mounted upright between the seats and strapped in the framework therebetween. Two squirrel cage blowers are used in tandem to provide the necessary air flow rate of 30 cubic feet of air per minute equivalent to 4% changes of air per hour in the pressure hull. 1

The first module in the air scrubber 101 contains /2lb. of KOH for the adsorption of H S, and lb of activated charcoal for the adsorption of heavy organic molecules. The next module rm contains ten lbs. of LiOH for the adsorption of CO Following the lithium hydroxide module is an activated charcoal and fiberglass filter 103 for removing dust particles, and a dehumidifier 104 to dry the air. Ten sets would be required for a ten-day mission since each module will serve for 24 hours of operation. Oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure sensors, not shown, are mounted in the duct work downstream of the position where the oxygen is mixed into the stream at diffuser 1108 for monitoring these quantities.

PEG. it illustrates the clarity of view afforded the occupants of the pressure hull. The most severe case of angular distortion is that illustrated by ray 2 where the observer has moved forward to attempt to see nearly straight down as compared to the ordinary case where he looks down from his seated position. Because the observer's eyes are not in the center of curvature of the hull, the distortion is minimal in the latter case and angular magnification is about 1.03.

HUS. lb through 14 illustrate various applications of the manned underwater observatory, FIG. showing the laboratory observation module mounted on a toroidal chamber containing crews quarters, laboratory space and space for power supply, storage and buoyancy control. The pressure hull may also provide 260 vision for an operator of an ocean tractor or bottom crawler as illustrated in FIG. 11, and the same control concept could be utilized by installing the pressure hull in a submarine hull as shown in FIG. 12. With hatches mounted in both antipodal sections, a number of the spherical hulls could be joined together in chains or circles of many different shapes to form a large bottom facility as shown in FIG. 13. Application of the pressure hull of the present invention for use as an inverted elevator to a moving platform such as provided by a submarine hull is illustrated in FIG. 14. A number of other applications are possible such as attaching the pressure hull to one end of a flip ship, using the hull in conjunction with a diving bell and including the hull as a component ofa work boat among other uses.

In operation and general use, the edreobenthic manned 0bservatory resembles a tethered, lighter-than-air balloon differing in that it is tethered to the ocean floor and is lighter than water rather than air. The combination of structure, personnel and equipment provides buoyancy which is both positive and stabilizing. The overall buoyancy exerts an upward force on the anchor line sufficient to stabilize the envelope against currents, undersea waves and the movements of the occupants, but not of sufficient force to move the anchor. By means ofthe winch the occupants are able to move the observatory up and down through the water column in much the manner of an elevator.

The hatches and feedthroughs are of metal to permit repeated opening and closing without scratching the ceiling surfaces. and the top and bottom metallic inserts provide hard surfaces to which the interior equipment and external ballast are securely fastened. By tieing together the top and bottom sphere portions with rods, it is possible to provide a spherical capsule in which the metal parts carry most of the tensile stresses.

Two seats specially devised for use in the observatory pressure hull slide on rails out from the tie rods from a pivot and rise up and fold out into beds. One of these seats may be used as the operators seat and as such permits the operator to have complete control over the observatorys movements and all functions on his side of the observatory. Some of the instruments located in the operators arm rests are an ammeter for control of the winch, a voltmeter for the winch, a potentiometer for causing gradual application of the brakes to control ascent, a similar potentiometer to control descent, controls for lights and azimuth of the pressure hull, and various environmental gages for measuring external pressure, current velocity, current direction, water temperature, pressure hull strain, hydrophone selection etc. Mounted on the movable arms over seats are instrument panels which carry gages for indicating the pressure of oxygen in the capsule, the carbon dioxide content, a clock, a leak sensor, and miscellaneous gages relating to quantity of oxygen remaining per rate of oxygen consumption etc. Under the floor of the capsule are placed miscellaneous equipment such as a water tank, a waste storage tank, oxygen cylinders, relays for control of electrical equipment, a switchboard for the hookup of equipment to power supplies, air ducts, food storage area, film and magnetic tape storage, strain gage electronics, a small silver-zinc battery power supply etc. Feedthroughs through the bottom end plate are provided for the following electrical equipment: winch, power lines, sea temperature, external pressure gage, hydrophone array, driving lights, wipers, sonar etc. These feedthroughs are necessary for the hydraulic line to the winch brake and for a tubing loop and pump to circulate sea water into the capsule for studying sea life through a microscope inside the observatory. Legs may be added to the underside of the ballast and faired housing sufficient in length to support the observatory above anchor 14 on the bottom.

Among the advantages and principal features of the edreobenthic manned observatory are its positive buoyancy which is evidenced by pulling against the bottom anchor thereby providing a stability against currents, undersea waves, and movements of the occupants. The rudder and propeller provide azimuth control especially under extreme current conditions. In the event of an emergency, a quick disconnect from the anchor, not shown, permits rapid ascents to the surface. The winch control facility permits examination of the effects of depths on many oceanographic parameters without the confusing effect of also moving laterally. Additionally, the stability of the tether concept permits sequential examinations of points in the water column with the confidence of returning to very nearly the exact same site when necessary. By marking the anchor site, revisits to the same sites after intervals of a week, a month or even years are possible. The ability to remain at one site for periods of many days permits the observation of relatively uncommon events as well as the detection of slowly varying phenomena. During the course of an investigation, the observatory may be allowed to surface in order to change observation personnel so that, for example, different specialists can observe the same site and correlate their results.

The ability to operate in normal atmospheric conditions permits scientists of moderate physical stamina to participate in the operations. The panoramic view provided by the transparent structure permits observers to conduct their work in a leisurely manner without the strain that accompanies peering through tiny windows as has been the case with previous techniques. Use of acrylic plastic or other similar material in the hull permits the hull to be built of spherical segments bonded together, thereby allowing large hulls to be fabricated from small, commercially available sheet sizes.

It will be recognized that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings, for example, a lock may be mounted below the personnel hatch to provide a water chamber for egress and ingress of personnel to effect repairs or conduct free diving exercises and more than two antipodal areas may be joined by rods if desired. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim: 1. In a self-contained positively buoyant underwater manned observatory having a shell formed substantially throughout of transparent material the combination of:

means internally disposed joining at least two opposing surface areas of said observatory and adapted to carry the majority of tensile stresses acting on said observatory;

means accommodating occupants and equipment attached to said internally disposed means; and

whereby visual observation and scientific research and experimentation may be conducted at great depths under atmospheric conditions.

2. The device of claim it wherein said shell is reinforced in the surface areas joined by the internally disposed means by material having substantially greater hardness and tensile strength than said transparent material.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the shell is constructed ofa plurality of sections bonded together; said surface areas joined by internally disposed means being included within respective sections of said shell.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the shell is spherical and the surface areas are antipodally disposed therein.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the shell sections are made of plastic and the antipodal surface areas of greater hardness and tensile strength are made of metal.

6. The device of claim 5 and further including support means attached to said internally disposed means for accommodating personnel and equipment in the observatory;

said support means being spaced from the interior surface of the shell so as to avoid contact with said shell surface.

7. The device of claim 6 and further including access means and handling means associated with one of said antipodal areas of greater hardness and tensile strength ballast means and control means each associated with the other of said antipodal areas.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said ballast means is disposed externally of said shell and said control means includes a power source and anchoring means:

said anchoring means comprising an anchor line, an anchor,

a drum on which said anchor line is wound and a winch and winch control means for varying the effective length of said anchor line;

said winch and said drum being disposed externally of said shell and said control means being disposed internally of said shell; and

whereby said observatory may be positioned at various depths by varying the length of said anchor line.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said power supply and said ballast means are positioned one above the other and are configured to provide an open central area;

said drum and said winch being positioned in said central area adjacent said shell.

10. The device of claim 9 and further including feedthroughs in the other of said antipodal areas to accommodate control connections, tubing and other modes of communication between the interior and exterior of said shell.

11. A self-contained positively buoyant observatory for manned underwater research and experimentation comprismg:

a pressure hull formed substantially throughout of transparent material;

at least two opposed surface areas in said hull formed of material having substantially greater hardness and tensile strength than said transparent material;

personnel access means and internal and external fittings included in one of said surface areas of greater hardness;

means interconnecting said opposed surface areas and designed to carry the preponderance of tensile stresses acting on said observatory;

hull position control means and internal and external fittings and feedthroughs included in the other of said surface areas of greater hardness;

means self-contained in said hull for supporting human life for extended periods of time; and

whereby visual observation and scientific research and experimentation may be conducted under reasonably comfortable conditions at great depths by one or more persons.

12. The device of claim 11 in which said pressure hull is formed of curved polygonal sections joined together in sealing relationship, said opposed surface areas being disposed in sealing relationship in respective sections.

13. The device of claim 12 in which said pressure hull is spherical and said opposed surface areas are antipodally positioned therein.

14. The device of claim 13 in which said curved sections are pentagonal in shape and are formed of acrylic plastic, said opposed surface areas being of metal of suitable hardness to preclude wearand scratching duringnormal operations.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said support means are spaced from the interior surface of said pressure hull and include a surface which enables personnel to move about the center of the pressure hull.

16. A self-contained positively buoyant line anchored underwater observatory for use in extended underwater research comprising:

a spherical pressure hull formed of a plurality of curved polygonal sections made of transparent structural material;

at least two metal end inserts seated in antipodal sections of said hull;

adjustable tie rods internally connecting said metal end inserts;

electrical power supply means and power distribution means attached externally to one of said end inserts;

support means mounted on said internal fittings for permitting life-support and research equipment to be disposed about the interior of said pressure hull; and

whereby personnel may be housed in the buoyant pressure hull for extended periods of time to observe the hulls environment, conduct experiments and perform other research functions at desired depths by controlling the scope of the anchor line. 

